The harsh reality of the world intruded tragically on day one of the East Coast Invitational team basketball camp Thursday at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center.

After introducing himself and other ECI officials, camp director Wells Gulledge told the players and coaches on hand in the stands for the annual event that a Westover High School basketball player had been shot and killed.

Gulledge said Westover coach George Stackhouse informed him of the shooting about 12:30 a.m. and later that the player had died. The player was identified by The Fayetteville Observer as 16-year-old Ashton Foxx, whom police said was shot to death after an argument at a party at a Fayetteville apartment complex.

After a moment of silence, Gulledge addressed the situation with the players.

“Life is so special and I try to put myself in coach Stackhouse’s shoes,” said Gulledge, a former head high school basketball coach at Kinston and Jacksonville. “When I was coaching I know how much the guys meant to me.

“I’m sure every one of the coaches feels the same way. I think every head coach in here has put themselves in coach Stackhouse’s shoes…. You guys are very, very special to us … whether you know it or not.

“Sometimes they’ve got their foot up your hind parts. Sometimes they’re telling you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. But at the end of the day they really do love you and want what’s best for you. They push you to the limit, and that’s what coaches are supposed to do.”

Gulledge said he could only image that Foxx, whom he didn’t identify by name, was at the pool party thinking about getting on a bus to head to Jacksonville today for the ECI and “sitting beside you.”

“So life’s very special,” Gulledge said. “Always know where you are, know your surroundings, know who you’re hanging out with and never be afraid to walk away from a situation. Sometimes it can save your life.”